Chapter 357. The Vixen Who Outsmarted Ram
「Although her primary focus was on guarding against Crusch, Ram didn't exactly neglect to target Emilia and Anastasia; she simply did so less frequently.」
「Her tactics included, but were not limited to: using moral leverage to force Hikigaya Hachiman to keep Rem company, suggesting he play more with Beatrice, letting Julius loose to chat with him, and making him spend time with Meili under the guise of "reconciliation."」
「In short, she promoted anything that increased Hachiman's time with others as long as they didn't pose a threat to Rem.」
「Ram didn't actually believe Hachiman's charm was so immense that he could seduce Emilia, Crusch, and Anastasia all at once.」
「These were three women standing at the very peak of the Kingdom of Lugunica. Their own power and vast horizons naturally brought a subconscious high standard for a lifelong partner.」
「Emilia, the "simple and sweet" one, was an exception and didn't need much discussion for now. But for Crusch and Anastasia, there was no logical reason for them to pine after a man who already had a well-known lover—even if that man had temporarily lost his memories and no longer loved his Emilia.」
「Ram was simply nipping trouble in the bud.」
「"Ram doesn't know what's so great about Hikigaya Hachiman... but since he's the man her sister fell in love with, he must have his charms. One can never overestimate that charm!"」
「And under her preemptive targeting, while Emilia (the "well-known third wheel") was a given, Anastasia remained smiling and unchanged, whereas Crusch truly began to show her hand.」
「It takes a woman to know a woman. Based on Ram's observations, this Lady Crusch was clearly interested in her brother-in-law.」
「From then on, most of Crusch's time was taken up by Ram herself dragging her into conversations, leaving Crusch with grievances she couldn't voice... Crusch could hardly be so bold as to say she didn't want to talk to Ram and only wanted to go find her Sir Hachiman, right?」
「For the next ten or so days, Crusch could only endure, agonizingly waiting.」
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"——"
On the streets of the Royal Capital, Emilia shivered; she was genuinely frightened by Ram.
"Don't panic, Lia. I'm here. Ram is just a mere brat, hmph." Puck's eyes flickered. Whether in combat power or scheming, it wouldn't lose to Ram.
The security and support Ram could give to Rem, Puck could give to Lia just the same!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Karsten mansion in the distance once again echoed with the wails of a "loser dog."
Outside the Capital, Rem hugged her sister. She felt a bit shy and apologetic toward Crusch, but more than that, she felt a surge of pride in having a sister who loved her so much and looked out for her.
Meanwhile, at the Nakano residence, the four sisters (excluding Itsuki) called a temporary truce. They watched Ram with rapt fascination, absorbing the concentrated essence of this "Sarcastic Palace Intrigue Master" without reservation.
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「Appreciating her. Appreciating Rem's sleeping face from a close distance within the same carriage.」
「No heart-throbs occurred, and no emotions surfaced... Hikigaya Hachiman wanted to find that throb, to know why this girl could make him find his confidence.」
「Never before had he so proactively desired to reclaim his memories.」
「After making this resolution, the dragon carriage finally arrived at the outer edges of the magic beast desert.」
「Birds flew in the sky, and the desert was an endless expanse of reddish-yellow. Violent winds whipped the sand, and the air was thick with miasma.」
「Meili grumbled, pointing at the magic beasts appearing in the distance and then at herself. She puffed out her chest—which was even flatter than Anastasia's and could compete with Felt and Yukinoshita for the "nearly non-existent" title.」
「"It's because I'm working that we only have to face sand and miasma. How about it, Big Brother? Have you recognized my usefulness? Stop thinking about hanging me from now on."」
「"I never thought of anything as severe as hanging you."」
「After this rebuttal, fully realizing how dangerous the journey to find the Sage's Tower was, Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly felt his throat go dry. He looked around at those who had volunteered to help him find his memories.」
「He wanted to say thanks, but thanks felt too cheap. His heart pounded and his breath hitched; it was only at this moment that he truly understood the magnitude of these people's sacrifices.」
「"You look quite moved? Very good, very good. I love the fragrance of making people willingly owe priceless emotional debts."」
「Anastasia, riding alongside him, teased with a smile. "This place is really uncomfortable; I really want a bath. If the Prime Minister feels bad in his heart, please perform well and help me find the Sage's Tower sooner, okay?"」
「"Then let's walk for another thirty minutes." Hachiman looked up at the distant Sage's Tower. His words made Anastasia jump in surprise. "No way?"」
「"That reaction... you noticed it too? We've been moving forward, but the distance to that tower hasn't decreased at all." Stripping away his confusion, the keenly observant Hachiman's gaze was sharp. Once he focused, many puzzles ceased to be problems. "It's like chasing a horizon until the horse dies. We've run for so long, yet the distance remains the same. There's definitely a problem."」
「"But I noticed it later than you. This is your credit, Miss Anastasia. You really are amazing."」
「Anastasia glanced at Ram, who was currently pinned down by Crusch nearby. Having been quiet for twenty days, she reached out and said: "Give me your hand, okay?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman didn't understand why, but out of curiosity, he followed suit. In the next second, with a light snap, Anastasia's slender hand slapped his palm.」
「"In the Prime Minister's eyes, am I some malicious woman who haggles over every bit of credit?"」
「The merchant with the fox muffler seemed to have her own principles and temper. She gave his hand two more light slaps in annoyance. "Is that really my image in your eyes? I should have never lent you that kimono to wear."」
「She wanted to hit him more, but compared to Hachiman's thick, sword-trained palms, Anastasia's delicate hands were the ones that actually stung and turned red upon impact. It was Anastasia who was suffering the damage.」
「Helpless, Hikigaya Hachiman had to reach out and grab Anastasia's wrist to stop her. "...I underestimated you. My apologies. Let's discuss how to break through this situation instead, Miss Anastasia."」
「His eyes drifted slightly. After that night in Watergate City, Anastasia had told him that the garment wrapped around his upper body was actually a kimono she had lent him as a makeshift measure.」
「Hachiman's embarrassment and shyness at the time could be imagined, and even now, with the subject revisited, he felt the same.」
「What his drifting gaze failed to notice was the merchant's satisfied, foxy smile after her wrist was gently held.」
「Taking advantage of the brief opening where Ram was distracted by Crusch—Anastasia on the offensive.」
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